Reports are Carson Benge has made the team even though it hasn't been officially announced!
OT: Mets 2026 Season Thread
- Thread starter Knight Shift
- Start date
If he isn’t named starting RF- there is splaining to do…
Spring training games are great. A lot more casual. You're right there. Easy to roam around. Get there early if you want. Etc.
Spring training games are great. A lot more casual. You're right there. Easy to roam around. Get there early if you want. Etc.
They are not bringing him north to platoon him. He will be the everyday RF.
He is the 1st of the Stearns era bats to reach the majors which is exciting to me. There was (and still is) some hand wringing from Mets fans about this makeover but this is how you build teams that compete every year, especially if the big market teams get squeezed in upcoming labor negotiations. Having talent at all levels of the system from rookie ball to the majors lets you compete for championships consistently.
Let’s Go Mets!
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Living here in the Valley and being retired lets me experience every part of spring training.
As much fun as the games are pick one day when they are on the road and just go hang at the facility. There’s plenty of guys who didn’t make the trip going thru workouts or in the cage. Crowds are way less and players are more approachable.
I think it's just how it lines up with McLean pitching in the WBC.
Manaea sadly going the route of Cespedes. 
to complete flame-out
to complete flame-outMets playing a split squad doubleheader today, and aren't using any of their major league pitchers in either game. Given that the season doesn't start until Thursday, that makes no sense to me.
my thoughts on what looks like our starting team - overall- sticking to this being a playoff team with 88-90 wins but could easily become a 84 win team or a 100 win team.
And, I still hold to that for just "money" this team, after the trades, could have been ranked neck and neck with the Dodgers. I am 100% ok with the trades- but Pete and Diaz would have had this team locked in. But, didn't happen so here we go into the season and I am looking forward to it.
C - Alvarez- if he stays healthy, the guy will hit a ton but still be a bit of a liability in the field at times. good thing we have Torrens as well - this is a positive
1B - The defense at 1B is going to be interesting to say the least. But, Baty/Polanco - should have good production.
2B - Semien...his defense is his strength. Would like to see him hitting though. But, he is better than having McNeil there
3B - Bichette- worried about the defense, but, we havent had good defense there for quite a while. His hitting is super clutch. Looking forward to watching him hit
SS - Lindor. will be pushing 30/30 again. Fun watching a HOF player
LF - Soto - Just a machine
CF - Robert -He will be much better than we have had for quite a while and he didnt really cost us much. I do think we may see him push 20/20 with the bat and elite F
RF - The future is here. Love this kid. May not have a ton of power to start the season but think that will come in time
DH- Baty/Polanco - I hope they really are productive as I would have had Vientos in here but Vientos just looks lost
SP/Rotation - Peralta- Ace pitching for a massive paycheck. this should be fun, Peterson - seems to start the season solid. and he is in the 2 slot only because McLean and the WBC. but Peterson is still a solid starting pitcher, McLean- he may hit a bump or two but we are most likely going to see the start of something special, Holmes- 2nd year of his transition and I can see him being a top tier pitcher this year. Senga- he seems to be on his game- and imagine a healthy Senga being your 4/5 pitcher...If everything goes right, this could be the strength of this team and a top 3 rotation in MLB
Relievers- almost impossible to read anything into what we have. But love we have Weaver here in case Williams does not get back to form.
And, I still hold to that for just "money" this team, after the trades, could have been ranked neck and neck with the Dodgers. I am 100% ok with the trades- but Pete and Diaz would have had this team locked in. But, didn't happen so here we go into the season and I am looking forward to it.
C - Alvarez- if he stays healthy, the guy will hit a ton but still be a bit of a liability in the field at times. good thing we have Torrens as well - this is a positive
1B - The defense at 1B is going to be interesting to say the least. But, Baty/Polanco - should have good production.
2B - Semien...his defense is his strength. Would like to see him hitting though. But, he is better than having McNeil there
3B - Bichette- worried about the defense, but, we havent had good defense there for quite a while. His hitting is super clutch. Looking forward to watching him hit
SS - Lindor. will be pushing 30/30 again. Fun watching a HOF player
LF - Soto - Just a machine
CF - Robert -He will be much better than we have had for quite a while and he didnt really cost us much. I do think we may see him push 20/20 with the bat and elite F
RF - The future is here. Love this kid. May not have a ton of power to start the season but think that will come in time
DH- Baty/Polanco - I hope they really are productive as I would have had Vientos in here but Vientos just looks lost
SP/Rotation - Peralta- Ace pitching for a massive paycheck. this should be fun, Peterson - seems to start the season solid. and he is in the 2 slot only because McLean and the WBC. but Peterson is still a solid starting pitcher, McLean- he may hit a bump or two but we are most likely going to see the start of something special, Holmes- 2nd year of his transition and I can see him being a top tier pitcher this year. Senga- he seems to be on his game- and imagine a healthy Senga being your 4/5 pitcher...If everything goes right, this could be the strength of this team and a top 3 rotation in MLB
Relievers- almost impossible to read anything into what we have. But love we have Weaver here in case Williams does not get back to form.
ICYMI - Mike Tauchman left yesterday's game with an apparent knee injury. We should know more about its severity today.
With Benge now considered a opening day lock, there are now just two open roster spots:
* Last seat on the bench - Tauchman, Young, or Brujan. May depend on whether Mendoza feels he needs to carry a backup SS.
* Last seat in the pen - Kimbrel, Hudson, or Lovelady, who simply will not go away. This one may come down to whether Mendoza feels he needs a second lefty to complement Raley, until Minter returns.
With Benge now considered a opening day lock, there are now just two open roster spots:
* Last seat on the bench - Tauchman, Young, or Brujan. May depend on whether Mendoza feels he needs to carry a backup SS.
* Last seat in the pen - Kimbrel, Hudson, or Lovelady, who simply will not go away. This one may come down to whether Mendoza feels he needs a second lefty to complement Raley, until Minter returns.
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Do you think Pache fits in anywhere for that last bench spot? I know he's hit this spring but he really doesn't have a bat. Brujan is terrible all around I don't even know why he's here so I hope he doesn't make it. At least Pache is a great fielder.
With 6 SP it does limit the team a bit.
Mendoza already has one glove-first reserve OF in Taylor. I doubt he will carry two. My guess he goes with another lefty bat - Tauchman if he's healthy, otherwise Young.
Yes they want him to play everyday. I doubt he has a future here so I'm sure they hope he can get some trade value back.
i would think that at trade deadline- mauricio, vientos and maybe one of the young pitchers could bring back something pretty good
I can’t imagine that the Mets have given up on him, not with the pop he has in his bat. Stearns doesn’t give up on prospects so easily. I suspect that they’re hoping that he develops, gets better at handling the breaking stuff, and gives them another valuable young player who can play or be dealt depending on future circumstances.
so- lets say we get production like this
C - 65 runs, 20 HR, 75 rbi .250 ave
1B- 75 runs, 25 HR, 80 rbi .265 ave
2B - 55 runs 12 HR 60 rbi .240 ave
3B - 100 runs 25 HR 105 rbi .305 ave
SS - 105 runs 28 HR 95 rbi .275 ave 30 SB
LF - 120 runs 35 HR 100 rbi .280 ave 35 SB
CF - 65 runs 18 HR 70 rbi .240 ave 20 SB
RF - 65 runs 20 HR 75 rbi .250 ave 20 SB
Does this offense get it done for us?
C - 65 runs, 20 HR, 75 rbi .250 ave
1B- 75 runs, 25 HR, 80 rbi .265 ave
2B - 55 runs 12 HR 60 rbi .240 ave
3B - 100 runs 25 HR 105 rbi .305 ave
SS - 105 runs 28 HR 95 rbi .275 ave 30 SB
LF - 120 runs 35 HR 100 rbi .280 ave 35 SB
CF - 65 runs 18 HR 70 rbi .240 ave 20 SB
RF - 65 runs 20 HR 75 rbi .250 ave 20 SB
Does this offense get it done for us?
Mendoza said it could be a couple of days before the roster is finalized. Translation - they will be scouring the waiver wire for possible upgrades to the likes of Young and Lovelady.
I get starting him in RF, particularly against righties. His stats are good this spring and for most of his limited time in the minors.
That said, in at least the games I've seen, a decent number of his hits weren't squared up, and he hasn't shown much pop. I know he's got good speed and has a cannon, but I haven't seen much of his OF play.
It'll be interesting to see how he does. It's a big jump.
Update on Kimbrel. When Mendoza told him he wouldn't make the roster, Mendoza offered to release him from his minor league contract in case he wanted to catch on elsewhere. Kimbrel declined. Rather than go to Syracuse, he will remain in St. Lucie for extended spring training for the time being. Jon Heyman said he is not far from being ready to help the Mets.
Anyone heading out to Opening Day?
65 on Thursday, and rain supposed to hold off until evening
Think I'm heading out to Queens for it!
65 on Thursday, and rain supposed to hold off until evening
Think I'm heading out to Queens for it!
Thought about it Hyundai club is $500 plus
$250 plus Sunday
$150 and few lower the next 2 Sundays Rockies and A’s
I see opening day Thursday is on NBC at 1pm, pre show at noon.
Mets had an intrasquad scrimmage today and then returned to NYC. 29 players went north. 24 jobs are filled. Five guys are still vying for two spots. Jared Young, Vidal Brujan, and Ben Rortvedt (surprise!) for the last spot on the bench. Richard Lovelady and Bryan Hudson for the last lefty in the pen. Those five guys were told that the final decision will not be made until right up to the deadline.
Obviously, the Mets are shopping the waiver wire. Joey Lucchesi, who throws with his left hand, just became available. Would not be surprised if the Mets are interested.
Obviously, the Mets are shopping the waiver wire. Joey Lucchesi, who throws with his left hand, just became available. Would not be surprised if the Mets are interested.
That's the kind of thing that can happen when the team has a year like it did last year, particularly its performance in the last 3-4 months.
ESPN predicts the Mets will finish 92-70, which would be the best record in the NL East. Philly is expected to finish 90-72, and ATL is expected to finish the same at 90-72. The Mets are a group of six teams in the second tier behind L.A., while L.A. sits by itself in the first tier. Tidbit: The Mets lead the majors in OPS. It was their pitching, with a 4.96 ERA, that let them down. Again, Stearns hate for certain players shines through. Stearns should still be held responsible for that debacle, as everyone who followed the Mets knew the weaknesses going into last season was pitching.
MLB 2026 season preview: Rankings, every team's playoff odds
MLB 2026 season preview: Rankings, every team's playoff odds
All of On3.
Milb still works thankfully. I 95% post from my cell but since the daily updates are a little more tedious it was easier to do it from a non mobile.